Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Loneliest rider

Why does the HDMI-output column of playback info always display the audio stream as PCM 5.1 48kHz no matter what the original audio format is? Currently I'm outputting audio through HDMI video as stereo PCM since the audio will eventually go to an active speaker connected to the TV's eARC port. BD secondary audio is also disabled, and naturally all formats are set to be converted into PCM by the player. I think it's better to have this player do the conversion to not strain the TV's processors too much, am I right to assume this? In fact there's an audible difference between the TV's and this player's conversion, when the TV gets bitstream and puts out in PCM, the sound is noticeably duller.

Panasonic players like to wrap the audio in a 5.1 container even if it's mono, I think it's a compatibility thing.

[dcx4610]

Are Panasonic going to release new models or are they pulling out of the player business as well? I guess that's under NDA as well

It's not ideal but at least with the Xbox and PS5, we will always have players around even if they are basic.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by Loneliest rider

Why does the HDMI-output column of playback info always display the audio stream as PCM 5.1 48kHz no matter what the original audio format is? Currently I'm outputting audio through HDMI video as stereo PCM since the audio will eventually go to an active speaker connected to the TV's eARC port. BD secondary audio is also disabled, and naturally all formats are set to be converted into PCM by the player. I think it's better to have this player do the conversion to not strain the TV's processors too much, am I right to assume this? In fact there's an audible difference between the TV's and this player's conversion, when the TV gets bitstream and puts out in PCM, the sound is noticeably duller.

Is the Blu-ray player set to "Bitstream"?

[ronand]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

Are Panasonic going to release new models or are they pulling out of the player business as well? I guess that's under NDA as well

It's not ideal but at least with the Xbox and PS5, we will always have players around even if they are basic.

What makes you think they are pulling out? The current models are still being manufactured and there's absolutely no need to release new models every year. Yes they could do with fixing a few things. At the price point they are selling at they should be making good profits on the current players so why stop?

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by gkolb

The DAC in this player is most probably superior to whatever audio processor is in the TV.

And in most cases the audio processor in the AVR or soundbar is even better than the TV or player. If you're using HDMI, bitstream is almost always best; the player's DACs only come into play with analog audio.

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by ronand

What makes you think they are pulling out? The current models are still being manufactured and there's absolutely no need to release new models every year. Yes they could do with fixing a few things. At the price point they are selling at they should be making good profits on the current players so why stop?

The rumor is 2023 is the last year the 820/9000 are being sold. My question is does that mean they are pulling out of the market or are they coming out with new models? Hopefully the latter but if they are pulling out, that'd be devastating since they are the best manufacter of players currently and would leave us with with very few options left.

If the latter, we might have to do a kickstarter for someone to create a premium player.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

If the latter, we might have to do a kickstarter for someone to create a premium player.

$500 each for OPPO to build 2,000 units?

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by chip75

$500 each for OPPO to build 2,000 units?

I'm in as long as they offer firmware support after the fact to fix potential issues.

[Poya]

Heads up because I'm too lazy to look this up here: if you're TV already does a good job at tone-mapping, is the TM feature on this necessary?

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by Poya

Heads up because I'm too lazy to look this up here: if you're TV already does a good job at tone-mapping, is the TM feature on this necessary?

The player seems to do a better job since it can read the metadata from the disc. I'd experiment with it on and off but for me, it certainly looks better on.

[Loneliest rider]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Is the Blu-ray player set to "Bitstream"?

I had it set to output bitstream for all formats except MPEG originally but it didn't make any difference, the output is always shown as PCM 5.1 48kHz. I set both of my bluray players to PCM after I noticed how veiled the high frequencies become when the A80K is doing the converting.

[Rocky Balboa]

A few days back I found out that at the end of October/beginning of November that the Panasonic UB820 had been marked down nearly a hundred dollars.

Do any of you guys know if the Panasonic UB820 is likely to be at a similar sales price to what it had been at the beginning of November this Black Friday week?

If it's not going to be marked down again for BF, do they run sales for it very often?

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by Rocky Balboa

A few days back I found out that at the end of October/beginning of November that the Panasonic UB820 had been marked down nearly a hundred dollars.

Do any of you guys know if the Panasonic UB820 is likely to be at a similar sales price to what it had been at the beginning of November this Black Friday week?

If it's not going to be marked down again for BF, do they run sales for it very often?

I've seen it down to $299 several times. It seems random though. Black Friday would probably be a good time to check but again, it does seem random and Amazon will do a warehouse deal from time to time.

[fredreed]

I wouldn't put much Into Amazon's big deals regarding Black Friday because lately even their Prime Deals are just terrible. The people running Amazon are just stupid and have no Idea how to put on good deals anymore. I would look at elsewhere like walmart, ABT Electronics, or maybe Crutchfield but stay away from Amazon regarding those big Black Friday deals.

[gto35830]

Originally Posted by chip75

I think others have mentioned it.

Played the other night on my 9000. Had no problems.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

I've seen it down to $299 several times. It seems random though. Black Friday would probably be a good time to check but again, it does seem random and Amazon will do a warehouse deal from time to time.

$299 is a fantastic price. It dropped down to $400 last BF and $350 a few months ago at B&H.

[Wormicide]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

$299 is a fantastic price. It dropped down to $400 last BF and $350 a few months ago at B&H.

I pretty sure the lowest this player ever sold was $349.99. Never heard or read of a $299.99 deal.

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by Wormicide

I pretty sure the lowest this player ever sold was $349.99. Never heard or read of a $299.99 deal.

+ 25% off



I wouldn't expect that again though unless there's a fire sale. I'd jump on it at $350 or $399. It's a great player and you can't go wrong.

[shinobipopcorn]

I got mine at 399 in the June sale. 299 would have been better but it was still worth it.

[Wormicide]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

+ 25% off



I wouldn't expect that again though unless there's a fire sale. I'd jump on it at $350 or $399. It's a great player and you can't go wrong.

That’s used. Brand new it’s never been $299.99 from an actual retailer